Is yoga hard? And some of the things I struggle with.

It may seem like yoga is a piece of cake when you first start out, but don’t be fooled! As you start practicing, you’ll find that it can be quite the physical and mental workout. Wonder why it’s so tough? That’s just part of the yoga journey!

First, I’d like to give you a little background

I started my yoga journey for mostly one simple reason and that’s because I hurt myself while out partying and a whole LOT of dancing. I fell down on my back and at the time everything seemed fine but as the days went on I actually ended up in the hospital. After some medication and physical therapy I was suggested yoga by a friend so I started watching YouTube videos and slowly getting into the practice.

It’s been almost a year since my accident, and I’m so glad I decided to give yoga a chance. I’ll be honest– at first I was hesitant because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit to something new. I mean, I had already been through so much after my injury, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take on something else. But I’m so glad I decided to take the plunge!

It’s been almost a year since my accident, and I’m so glad I decided to give yoga a shot. I had already been through so much after my injury, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to add one more thing to my plate. But I’m so glad I took the plunge!

Yoga has been an amazing journey for me since then. The physical benefits like increased strength and flexibility have been great, but the mental and emotional benefits have been even more profound. It’s really opened my eyes to how important it is to take care of myself, and to practice mindfulness and stress relief.

I’m so thankful that I had the courage to try something new and to start my yoga journey. I’d encourage anyone who’s questioning whether or not to start their own yoga journey to give it a try. You might just be surprised by the results!

If you’ve ever tried yoga and found it too difficult, don’t worry – you’re not alone! Even for the most experienced yogis, yoga can be a real challenge, and for a beginner it can seem downright overwhelming.

You may be able to lift a small mountain, but you still can’t do the limbo.

Whether you’re a runner, boxer, surfer, or any other kind of athlete, you need flexibility to perform your best.

To achieve and maintain flexibility, it’s important to make time for specific stretching and mobility exercises. Yoga is a great way to do this – it’s not just for bendy people, it’s a practice that will help you become more flexible over time. So don’t feel intimidated if you’re not very flexible right now – give yoga a try and see how much your body can improve!

You can bend but you can’t break!

Yoga is an incredible practice for both body and mind. I love that it helps to build both flexibility and strength, helping us to become stronger and more balanced in all aspects of our lives. Not only that, but it’s a great way to take a break from the stresses of everyday life and give yourself some much-needed TLC.

Have you ever been surprised by the amount of strength needed to do yoga? I certainly was! When I first started my yoga practice, I was shocked to learn just how strong I needed to be to really get into certain poses. I was expecting to build flexibility, but I certainly wasn’t expecting to get muscles like I now have! People often don’t believe me when I tell them that yoga is what has given me my strong arms and core. Even when I explain the arm balances, jump throughs and inversions that I do, they still seem to think that I must be doing something else too.

But the truth is, if you stick with it, yoga has amazing power to make you stronger. Depending on which style you practice, your teachers will likely work you towards those tough poses that require a lot of core and shoulder strength. You can quickly build up the strength you need to get into those poses, even though it can be tough. You will be amazed!. Just continue to fearless like challenge yourself – you will be amazed by what you can accomplish!

You may be flexible, but you ain’t no contortionist.

It was me, a complete beginner in the world of yoga. I had no idea what I was getting into, with my lack of upper body strength and knowledge of the various styles of yoga. So I decided to take the plunge and join an Ashtanga class. Needless to say, I was pretty overwhelmed by the experience, but I’m glad I stuck with it!

I had no faith in myself when I first stepped foot in this place. I was overwhelmed by everything around me and felt like I could never measure up. But then, when we all settled into Savasana, I experienced something I had never felt before – a sense of calm and comfort. I was so moved by this feeling that I knew I had to come back and try again. It was like a promise to myself to never give up and to keep going. I’m so glad I made that pledge, because now I look forward to coming back each time, knowing I can push myself further and further.

The next day, I was filled with regret as I attempted to complete my chaturangas. My teacher noticed my struggle and offered a gentle suggestion: that I put my knees down until I had built up enough strength. I felt ashamed, like I had failed myself by not being prepared for the full chaturangas. I knew that I’d have to put in the extra work to get where I wanted to be.

Despite the challenges I faced, I continued to build my strength and refused to surrender. Now, I’m able to flow through chaturangas and even more complex postures with ease.

You compare and feel watched

It’s natural to feel intimidated by others in a yoga class, but it’s important to remember that it’s not about looking or being like someone else. Yoga is a practice of self-love and acceptance, not a means to compare ourselves to others. If you feel like your yoga class is becoming too competitive, maybe it’s time to find a new space where you can focus on your own journey.

Have you ever felt like you were in a competition with someone in yoga? I know I have. Feeling envious when I saw other people able to do more difficult poses than me. I would think to myself, “They must know how much better than me they are.” But then I asked myself, “Am I the only one making this into a competition?”

Now that I’ve become more advanced in my practice, I don’t feel the need to show off my skills. Practicing yoga is all about growth and learning, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I’m sure all other advanced yogis feel the same way.

I know what it’s like to be just starting out on my yoga journey; it can be so hard and so frustrating. I don’t want anyone to think I’m trying to show off, because no one is ever perfect at yoga. Even when I’ve managed to master one pose, I’m still working on something else. Our physical practice might be improving, but our meditation practice could still be a work in progress. We’re all just on different stages of our yoga journeys, and that’s what makes it so special.

Rather than feeling the pressure of a race, think of it as a journey! It’s important to be supportive and encouraging of each other, and if you’re finding it hard to not compare yourself to others, why not try a class that focuses on those just starting out? That way, you can take your time and really get to grips with the basics.

Your mind is a nomad

That makes us two in the same boat! I feel like staying present is one of the toughest parts of yoga for me as well. I’m so used to letting my thoughts wander, that it’s a real challenge to be in the present moment. Focusing on my breath and the sensations I’m feeling really helps me out. I like to ask myself questions like: Where am I feeling the stretch? How can I relax into it more?

Focusing on your feelings in the moment and taking a few deep breaths can take you away from the hustle and bustle of your thoughts and bring you into the here and now. Practicing this regularly can help you get more comfortable with the present moment.

You’re not seeing results as quickly as you thought you’d be able to outrun a cheetah!

When you try to dictate what will happen, you can miss out on the beauty and joy of the moment. Letting go of your expectations and engaging in yoga will help you cultivate a deeper understanding of your body and what it needs. You may even discover certain tendencies that you didn’t know about before. Give it a try and see what happens!

I recently discovered that my Achilles tendons are a bit on the short side, so unfortunately I won’t be able to do Garland pose (Malasana) any time soon. Even though it’s a bummer that I can’t get my heels to the ground, I’m looking at it as an opportunity to find other poses that work better for my body.

Once you start getting comfortable with your practice, take a moment to reflect on the goals you’ve set for yourself. When I first began, I thought I’d be able to nail my squat in no time and would be my first arm balance. Spoiler alert: it didn’t happen that quickly, but I was steadily making progress and having fun along the way.

I was so excited when I finally nailed my first arm balance – Flying Splits! I was surprised that it was something I had deemed a more advanced pose. It just goes to show that everyone’s body is different – you might be able to master something you never thought you could or find that something you thought would be easy needs a bit more practice. Either way, it’s all part of the journey!

We’ve talked a lot. So, is yoga hard to learn?

That is a question that many of us have asked ourselves at some point. The answer to this question is actually quite simple: it depends.

For some, learning the basics of yoga can be quite simple. After all, it’s just about breathing and stretching. However, for others, the more complex poses and sequences can take a lot of time and dedication to master.

No matter where you are on your yoga journey, it is important to remember that you are the only one who can determine how hard yoga is for you. Everyone’s body is different and each person has unique needs and capabilities.

At Value Yoga, we believe that yoga is a journey, not a destination. We encourage each person to customize their yoga practice to best suit their individual needs and goals. We also believe that it is important to find joy and challenge in each pose, and to challenge ourselves to grow and learn.

Some may find it difficult to learn yoga. That’s why we have created a supportive and encouraging community. We believe that yoga should be a practice that brings us closer together, not a practice that makes us feel isolated and overwhelmed.

So, is yoga hard to learn? The answer is yes and no. It is up to each individual to find out what works best for them. We invite you to join us on the Value Yoga journey and to find out for yourself.

As always, thanks for joining!

Love you!